Emerald Sky: An unforgettable cruise down the iconic Danube & through the heart of old Europe

Danube Delights

An unforgettable cruise down the iconic Danube & through the heart of old Europe. Walking tours, invitations into the homes of locals & sightseeing excursions showcase the magnificence of yesteryear.

Overview:

This insightful itinerary crosses into four countries, offering a unique perspective into their past and present simultaneously. Guided walks along the cobblestone streets of Germany tell their own story, and city tours of Vienna and Budapest exemplify how the past can shape the future. Celebrate the ancient as it co-exists with the modern in the Austrian and Hungarian capitals, and gain a personal understanding of why the iconic Danube has acted as inspiration to so many.

• Ship: Emerald Sky
• Cabin: E-Emerald Stateroom 
• Duration: 7 Nights
• Sail Date: 16th April 2023 {Multiple dates available, Kindly contact our holiday team for the availability}

What's Included?

• 7 nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
• Airport transfers to and from the ship
• The services of an Emerald Cruises Cruise Director
• Port taxes and charges
• All tipping and gratuities

Excursions:

• Guided coach tour of Budapest
• A walking tour of Bratislava
• Guided tour of Vienna
• Guided tour of Melk Abbey
• Guided tour of Passau
• Guided tour of Regensburg

EmeraldPLUS:

• Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
• Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
• Traditional Bavarian band on board

EmeraldACTIVE:

• A hike to Buda Hill
• Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
• Guided bike tour in Vienna
• Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
• A guided bike tour along the Danube River
• Hike to Veste Oberhaus

Dining:

• 20 superb meals including 7 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
• Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board 

Day 1: Budapest

Return economy flights from one of up to 16 UK regional airports are included in the price of your holiday. Welcome to Budapest. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, before enjoying time at leisure to explore Budapest.

This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.

Day 2: Budapest

The ancient Roman city of Aquincum once sat on the site of modern Budapest, where architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda on the right and Pest on the left offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliest cities in Eastern Europe.

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Buda Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama of the Danube banks. 

Day 3: Bratislava

This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theatre.

If you are feeling more active, then you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, offering the perfect environment for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months.

This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over coffee and cake.

Day 4: Vienna

Set on the banks of the Danube, Vienna has been considered to be Europe’s capital of music for centuries. Viennese Classicism is still highly regarded around the world, as the 18th century brought with it the First Viennese School, consisting of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Today, your local guide will take you for a drive around the world-famous Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Vienna, including a peppering of lavish Baroque mansions and the Vienna State Opera. If you are feeling more active, then choose to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, home to a traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel.

Day 5: Dürnstein - Melk

This morning, arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. When you arrive, you will have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, traversing the banks of the Danube.

Later, sail through the Wachau Valley, a place that showcases a plethora of historic architecture, in the form of monasteries, castles and ruins, and the development of urban design through the ages. When you arrive in Melk, you will be taken for a tour of the 900-year-old Melk Abbey, touching on the lavish surrounds of the former palace and viewing ancient manuscripts in the monastic library.

Day 6: Passau

After a morning of sailing along the Danube, perhaps relaxing with a drink in hand on the Sun Deck, we will take you into the heart of Passau. As the point at which the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet, Passau is also known as the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning the “City of Three Rivers”.

Your included guided tour of Passau will unveil its noteworthy Gothic and Baroque architecture. The town was destroyed by a series of fires in the 17th century, leaving a blank canvas for Italian architects to work with.

After your tour, enjoy some free time to explore Passau at leisure, before an afternoon spent sailing towards Regensburg.

Day 7: Regensburg

This morning, we will arrive in Regensburg, a city that has been generously steeped in history, built on the site of an ancient Roman fort that went on to become a major centre for trade during the Middle Ages. Your guided walking tour of Regensburg will showcase its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval centre, where ancient Roman architecture can be found sitting alongside 11th – 13th century patrician houses. Narrow cobbled lanes and tall façades help to define the character of this enchanting Bavarian city.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band on board.

Day 8: Regensburg - Munich 

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Roman architecture and the cultural divide in Budapest with you. 

All fares are displayed in Great British Pound and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.